Let's Talk About Ultra-Processed Foods

Let's Talk About Ultra-Processed Foods

Navigating the nuanced world of ultra-processed foods can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle. In this five-minute video, I sit down with registered dietician Tarah Valenti from CustomFit to discuss practical tips on how to approach these foods without stress or guilt. Whether you're trying to make better choices or just curious about the role of ultra-processed foods in our world, this conversation will leave you with insights to stay sane and nourished.

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How Working with a Registered Dietician Can Change Your Life!

How Working with a Registered Dietician Can Change Your Life!

Do you know you want/need to make some changes to your nutritional habits but just aren’t sure where to start? Ever wondered what it would be like to work with a registered dietician to help forge a path ahead and make some real improvements? In this ~30 minute video I chat with my pal Tarah Valenti, RDN with CustomFit, about what it’s like working with her and how a custom nutritional program can help with so many different goals including body fat loss, visceral fat, muscle preservation/growth, improved energy, health, vitality, longevity as well as managing a variety of issues from high cholesterol, blood sugar or blood pressure to perimenopause and other life transitions.

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Alcohol Alternatives: Have a Little Fun Without the Hangover

Alcohol Alternatives: Have a Little Fun Without the Hangover

This post is generally more for my "normie" pals (someone not in recovery from alcoholism). One area of health and fitness that can be a roadblock for folks is alcohol. I hear a lot from clients that they can have trouble letting go of drinking because they feel left out during social situations. There is a growing industry popping up that offers more and more fun options for mocktails. At a BBQ recently several of my friends gave this zero proof "whiskey" a taste test. It's shocking what mixologists can do these days! The consensus was that It definitely smelled and tasted like whiskey and has ZERO alcohol and only 5 calories. This company makes several zero proof products (“gin”, “tequila”, “rum” and others) so if this might be something that helps you achieve your goals while still enjoying social situations, give it a try. (Goes without saying that for folks in recovery this may or may not fit your program so please do what is best for your own situation.)

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Nutrient Stacking: Building a Meal Based on Your Health Goals

Nutrient Stacking: Building a Meal Based on Your Health Goals

One of my favorite sayings as a trainer is movement is medicine. It’s so true. But food is the original medicine and is often overlooked as the most natural way to influence our health. Here’s an example of how I’ve used recent research about food to create a super yummy and super impactful meal perfect for pre- or post-workout.

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Smoked Salmon Egg Muffins FTW

Smoked Salmon Egg Muffins FTW

Post run “brunch” for the win! I made these egg muffins for the week so grabbed two and heated them up in the microwave and tossed them on top of some low calorie toast with smoked salmon and some spring mix with a little balsamic. Five minutes to throw it together and seriously yummy with plenty of protein and healthy fat and veggies.

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Sarah's Fudgy Black Bean Brownies

Sarah's Fudgy Black Bean Brownies

When I came across this recipe for healthy fudge brownies made with nutrient-dense ingredients like black beans, avocado and dates I was like… gross. Ain’t no way those are going to taste like real brownies. But I have a secret weapon in my client Sarah. She is a fantastic cook and baker and has a keen interest in eating things that are delicious AND healthy. So she took the recipe into her kitchen and did some work on it to make it taste even better without sacrificing the good stuff. And honestly they taste like “real” brownies. Win!

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How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Blowing Your Fitness Goals

How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Blowing Your Fitness Goals

It's that time of year again when holiday parties, family feasts and travel plans can kill your fitness resolve and give you the nutritional "f*ck its". Don't throw in the towel. Here are three simple and effective tips you can use over the coming weeks to make sure you have a good time without blowing all your hard work. 

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Looking to Outsource Meal Prep? Here's My Go To Delivery Service: Factor

Looking to Outsource Meal Prep? Here's My Go To Delivery Service: Factor

I'm not into cooking. "But JJ, you're a trainer! Don't you love spending hours in the kitchen meal-prepping and putting everything you eat into perfect little containers?” Sort of. I prepare (not cook!) my breakfasts, lunches and snacks for the work week in advance using many of the recipes I share in my free nutrition guide. But actually cooking? I'm just not into it. So Peter and I decided years ago to outsource our weekday dinners to a meal delivery service. After trying a few different ones we landed on Factor and have been loving it. 

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Five of My Favorite Fitness Trackers for Optimizing Health, Performance and Diet

Five of My Favorite Fitness Trackers for Optimizing Health, Performance and Diet

There are SO MANY trackers on the market. And the landscape changes all the time. The ones discussed in this post are the ones I have personally used at various stages of my fitness journey and have seen work for many of my clients. If you have something that is already working for you, GREAT! Don’t fix what ain’t broke. But if you are looking for something to aid you along in your wellness journey maybe one or some of these can help.

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Four Ingredient "Veri Veri" Teriyaki Shrimp and Soba

Four Ingredient "Veri Veri" Teriyaki Shrimp and Soba

This is one of my favorite meal prep treats and it's literally one of the easiest to make. My partner and I were getting tired of our old lunchtime standbys (chicken salad, meat loaf, salmon). Sometimes you just want something that tastes as good as Chinese takeout or ramen but that won't leave you feeling gross and bloated. Try this quick one that only has FOUR ingredients and can be prepped and stored for easy lunches or dinners during the week.

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Rainbow 10 Challenge: Add Some Colors to Your Day

Rainbow 10 Challenge: Add Some Colors to Your Day

This post isn’t about how to eat to lose fat or gain muscle. Those are great goals and I help people do that all the time. You can get that for free in my guide. This is about something different. This post is about looking at your routine and what you’re eating in a day and making incremental, manageable improvements. The goal is simply to do something kind for your body not so you look better, but so you feel better physically and emotionally because you know you are doing something good for your health.

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Meal Prep Hack from Allison Tibbs: Mason Jar Salads

Meal Prep Hack from Allison Tibbs: Mason Jar Salads

I'm obsessed with this simple yet genius meal prep hack from the incomparable Queen of Clean Eating Allison Tibbs. Using mason jars you can pick up on Amazon or any kitchen supply store you can prep delicious salads and grain bowls that will last for several days without getting your veggies soggy using Allison's layering technique. Seriously, letting these suckers "marinade" in your favorite dressing and ingredients makes these salads tastier AND healthier than any quick serve salad joint and are easy to throw together.  

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"Cooking with JJ" Episode 6: Fish in a Pouch

"Cooking with JJ" Episode 6: Fish in a Pouch

While “Fish in a Pouch” may not sound delicious, this quick, clean and tasty dish is one of my favorites. This all in one meal takes less than 10 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook. It’s perfect to make for one person or a big dinner party and requires almost no clean up. You can use any starches, veggies and fish you like including cod, halibut or salmon and you can also toss in shrimp or scallops. Watch the latest episode of "Cooking with JJ" to learn how to make this amazing dish.

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Meal Prepping 101: The Easy Way to Start Eating Better

Meal Prepping 101: The Easy Way to Start Eating Better

So you finally accepted that eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner makes it nearly impossible to reach your fitness and health goals? Bagels and breakfast burritos (or no breakfast at all), quick serve sandwiches and salads near the office and takeout (or worse happy hour treats) are killing your waistline and your wallet? Congrats. Acceptance is the first step. The next step is getting onboard with meal prepping and it doesn’t have to be as complicated or laborious as you think.

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"Cooking with JJ" Episode 5: Simple Greek Salad with Seared Chicken

"Cooking with JJ" Episode 5: Simple Greek Salad with Seared Chicken

This is hands down one of my favorite salads. I'm a big fan of creamy Caesar dressings but they can be super fattening and rich. So this recipe gives the same flavor with a fraction of the calories and fat thanks to the combo of lemon juice, hummus and feta. The salad on it's own is great but if you want to make it a yummy, hot meal I'll show you how to saute chicken breast in coconut oil on your stove to top things off.

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"Cooking with JJ" Episode 4: Magic Morgan Energy Bars

"Cooking with JJ" Episode 4: Magic Morgan Energy Bars

In the NewsUpNow.org kitchen with me this week is one of my very favorite humans. Morgan McEvilly is a talented personal trainer, yoga instructor and wellness guru. I’ve learned so much from her over the years and I’m so grateful she found the time to come show us how to make her famous Magical Morgan Energy Bars. These yummy, plant-based treats are perfect pick-me-ups for quick, natural energy and make a great pre- or post-workout treat. All you need is a sturdy food processor and a selection of your favorite nuts, dried fruits and fresh dates.

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"Cooking with JJ" Episode 3: Vegetarian “Tuna Salad” Made From Chickpeas

"Cooking with JJ" Episode 3: Vegetarian “Tuna Salad” Made From Chickpeas

In the NewsUpNow.org kitchen with me this week is the beautiful and amazing Allison Tibbs who has perfected a scrumptious vegetarian "tuna salad" recipe made from chickpeas. Just in time for your Labor Day BBQ, this salad is great as a meal, snack or side and will satisfy even the most avid meat eater and tuna salad snob. It can also be modified to be vegan friendly and as we demonstrate is great for doing bicep curls in the kitchen. Proof! "Cooking" can be easy, fun and delicious.

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"Cooking with JJ" Episode 2: Veggie Egg White Muffins

"Cooking with JJ" Episode 2: Veggie Egg White Muffins

In this week’s episode of “Cooking with JJ” from NewsUpNOW, I’ll show you how to make super simple and yummy veggie and (optional) meat egg white muffins which are great for meal prepping for the week ahead. The amazing Allison Tibbs taught me how to make these years ago and they are a staple in my house! Check out the full episode and cook along with me!

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"Cooking with JJ" Episode 1: Banana Blueberry Protein Muffins

"Cooking with JJ" Episode 1: Banana Blueberry Protein Muffins

I'm super excited to share the premier episode of Cooking with JJ, a video partnership between Jonathan Jordan Fitness and the incredible producers at NewsUpNow.org. In each episode we'll share delicious and healthy meal prep hacks, recipes and techniques to fuel your life. In this episode I'll show you how to make my famous Banana Blueberry Protein Muffins.

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JJ’s Pumpkin Spice Apple Protein Muffins

JJ’s Pumpkin Spice Apple Protein Muffins

I've been obsessed with my Blueberry Explosion Protein Muffins for years. I make them every Sunday and have two every day as a post workout treat. This week catastrophe happened. I ran out of blueberries and was too lazy to go to the store. But I did have apples so I figured, why not?! The result was a delicious reinvention of my favorite recipe. I call them JJ’s Basic B*tch Pumpkin Spice Apple Protein Muffins. Give them a shot and I hope you enjoy!

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